If you're looking to run in snowshoes, today's small and ergonomically designed running-specific models allow you to take a natural stride and run virtually anywhere there's snow. While snowshoes with a larger surface area designed for hiking or backcountry ski mountaineering provide more floatation in powder, they can be too clunky and heavy to really enjoy a run.

Each of the aluminum-frame models listed here conforms to the United States Snowshoe Association standards (of at least 120 square inches of surface area), making them legal for snowshoe racing. More importantly, each is built for agile foot placement, quick leg turnover and high-speed traction for any run outing.

Atlas Snowshoes Race, $310The lightest racing shoe on the market, the 22-inch Race model tips the scales at just over 2 pounds per pair. Built for speed with a lightweight tapered frame and a reliable one-pull web binding that offers good connectivity to your foot, these bad boys feel like they're an extension of your shoe. The Race has a pliable plastic decking that stays flexible in cold weather and keeps your foot from sliding as the crampons grab hold for secure footing, even on sidehills. The best feature might be the spring-loaded suspension system, which allows for a natural foot strike and a consistent gait, especially on groomed or hard-packed snow.atlassnowshoes.com

Crescent Moon Gold Series 12, $229Crescent Moon's lightweight build-up and teardrop design are ideal for running on snow because there's never an issue with stomping on your own tails. The Gold 12 model is slightly larger than its previous edition, with a 8.5 x 24.5-inch frame, offering ample floatation and more clearance in the toe, and allowing for greater range of motion on all types of terrain. They weigh in at 2.6 pounds per pair, and the race-oriented binding securely wraps around a running shoe.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com

Dion Snowshoes, $250Started by veteran snowshoe race director and masters racer Bob Dion (he's a two-time age-group national champion), this upstart Vermont company offers semi-custom snowshoes—mix and match the frame, cleat and binding options to create your optimal setup. Most racers opt for the 7 x 21-inch Model 121 racing frame ($125) because it's the smallest and narrowest deck on the market that conforms to USSSA standards. The Quick-Fit binding ($65) offers a snug hold and easy adjustments without excess straps flapping around when you run. Unless you run and race on the same type of surface all the time, picking the cleat could be the tricky part. Dion recommends the Deep Cleat ($60), stating that it works well on groomed terrain and offers solid traction in broken snow and powder. This set-up weighs just over 2.5 pounds.dionsnowshoes.com

Tubbs Velocity, $200Tubbs has been in the racing business for years. Though the company no longer builds swanky carbon-fiber racing shoes, it's 8 x 22-inch frame Velocity model is a fast and nimble replacement, even if they're slightly heavier than some models (about 3.2 pounds). The Velocity has a long, narrow frame shape to keep your stride consistent without stepping on your heels and durable, rigid plastic decking that offers sufficient floatation. The articulated footbed is ideal for packed snow conditions because it keeps the deck from flapping too much, allowing for a smooth gait and quick leg turnover. The strap binding is pretty straightforward, securely containing a running shoe with minimal adjustments.tubbssnowshoes.com